The PGA Tour is golf’s most well-known tour, but the best circuit in professional golf might be tucked away on Florida’s Atlantic coastline.
Jupiter, Fla. is one of the richest zip codes in the world. It just so happens to be home to many of golf’s biggest and most recognizable names. During the winter months, this tiny zip code is where the game’s biggest stars come to hibernate. They hang out here, fraternize here, and yes, practice here — at one of the many private clubs within driving distance (Tiger Woods hangs out at Medalist in Hobe Sound along with Brooks Koepka and a host of other stars; while others prefer the friendly confines of the Bear’s Club).
On this week’s episode of GOLF’s Subpar, Bud Cauley — a PGA Tour pro and Jupiter resident — shares some of his takeaways from his time in golf’s most exclusive club with Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz, including his favorite playing partner.
“It’s hard to not go with JT,” Cauley said. “He can golf the ball pretty good.”
It helps that Thomas is notoriously competitive in matchplay — he proved as much at the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, smack-talking and fist-pumping his way to an American victory. But, Cauley says, if it’s not Thomas on his team, he’d prefer to have one of JT’s Ryder Cup teammates.
“Yeah, Berger would probably be my second,” Cauley said. “Every time I go out with him — either against him or on a team with him — he plays really well.”
As for the most important thing needed to survive in a Jupiter money game, Cauley says the answer is simple: a deeply competitive streak.
“Yeah, I’m kinda that way too,” Cauley said. “I think it keeps you a little bit more engaged, not that I love to gamble. I think it keeps you a little bit more engaged, it makes it count for something. You don’t want to lose anything to someone you see all the time.”
Home, sweet home: How Jupiter, Florida, became the epicenter of professional golf
And, if you’re gunning for someone’s money, Cauley and Knost each have a favorite target.
“Probably Berger,” Cauley said. “I like having Berger’s money in my pocket.”
“First off, Rahm complains if he loses $20 or $20,000,” Knost said. “And anytime you can get the World No. 1’s money, it feels pretty good.”
To hear the rest of Cauley’s interview, including why he prefers playing over practicing, and how a substantial sum of money was almost left in a fast-food bag, check out the full video below.